Core Insights - Horizon Robotics held its first technology ecosystem conference, emphasizing a shift from "driving high" to "coexisting with high" in intelligent driving, aiming to expand driving assistance features into broader markets [4] - The new HSD Together model promotes deep collaboration with industry partners, reshaping the automotive supply chain ecosystem from a linear supply model to a symbiotic relationship [5][7] Industry Transformation - The HSD system, based on the Journey 6M chip, is set to be mass-produced and integrated into affordable vehicles, marking a significant shift in collaboration strategies within the automotive industry [5] - The complexity of developing advanced driving assistance systems necessitates a collaborative approach, as individual automakers may lack the resources to tackle these challenges alone [6] Supply Chain Evolution - The transition from a traditional supply chain to a networked structure allows for more flexible and collaborative relationships among suppliers, enhancing the overall capability of the ecosystem [8] - The integration of suppliers into the manufacturing process, as seen with CATL's battery production within vehicle assembly lines, exemplifies the shift towards co-located collaboration [9] Strategic Partnerships - The HSD Together model enables partners to modularly select algorithm modules and engineering support, significantly reducing their resource investment by up to 90% [6] - The automotive industry is witnessing a shift in collaboration dynamics, with semiconductor companies engaging directly with top management of automakers, indicating a move towards strategic partnerships rather than transactional relationships [10] Competitive Landscape - The focus of competition in the automotive industry is shifting from hardware and software development to ecosystem building and collaborative efficiency [11] - The emergence of the HSD Together model raises questions about the potential loss of technical leadership for automakers with weaker software capabilities, leading to a bifurcated industry landscape [12] Innovation and Value Creation - The automotive market is transitioning from price competition to innovation-driven strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaborative ecosystems in enhancing innovation efficiency [14] - The value creation process is increasingly reliant on data cycles and functional iterations throughout the vehicle's lifecycle, highlighting the need for a healthy ecosystem to foster continuous improvement [15] Future Outlook - The automotive industry is likely to evolve into a layered, dynamically balanced ecosystem where a minority of leading firms pursue full-stack development while the majority collaborate with ecosystem partners [13] - The shift towards a collaborative model may lead to a reallocation of power within the supply chain, necessitating fair trust and benefit-sharing mechanisms among partners [17]

Core Insights - The release of Horizon's fourth-generation BPU architecture "Riemann" and the successful listing of Naxinwei on the Hong Kong stock market highlight the innovative momentum in China's automotive chip industry [2] - The automotive chip industry in China is transitioning from initial development to significant growth, driven by policy standards, core technology advancements, and market applications [2] Industry Developments - The upgraded "Automotive Chip Certification Review Technology System 2.0" was launched, featuring a comprehensive framework with 9 modules and 60 indicators, covering 10 categories of automotive chips for new energy vehicles [2][3] - The implementation of this certification system has improved quality control for chip manufacturers and reduced vehicle manufacturers' selection risks and costs, shortening the onboarding cycle by an average of 3 months [3] Market Performance - Chip manufacturers like Chipone and Horizon are achieving significant milestones, with Chipone's KungFu automotive-grade MCU deliveries surpassing 200 million units and Horizon's HSD system being integrated into more affordable vehicle models [3][9] - The domestic automotive chip industry has seen a rise in the number of companies, with over 1,000 firms involved in the supply chain, and a significant increase in the domestic chip application rate, which is projected to reach 20% by the end of 2024 [5][8] Competitive Landscape - Local companies are rapidly gaining market share in the mid-to-low-end automotive chip market, while high-end markets remain dominated by foreign giants [11] - The collaboration between automotive chip companies and vehicle manufacturers is fostering innovation and enhancing the reliability of domestic chips, which is crucial for market penetration [11][17] Future Opportunities - The automotive chip sector is viewed as a critical growth area, with companies exploring new applications in the robotics industry, which is expected to see significant growth in the coming years [12][14] - The integration of automotive chips with intelligent systems is seen as a pathway for companies to overcome existing growth bottlenecks and explore new market opportunities [14][15] Challenges Ahead - Despite progress, the domestic automotive chip industry still faces challenges, including a reliance on foreign technology for high-end chips and the need for a more robust supply chain [15][16] - The industry must focus on building a comprehensive ecosystem that includes software development capabilities alongside hardware reliability to meet the evolving demands of the automotive market [17]